What A Difference A Day Makes

I'm sitting here on the foot end of my sweet baby girl. 

Yesterday morning, she was bright eyed, giggly and ready to go to school for a day of learning and fun.

It was a collective effort between myself and the kids, but somehow, Brenton and I were able to make it out the door early so we could get him to preschool at the earliest drop off time possible.

I had 16 miles to squeeze into 2 1/2 hours. 

I had a gameplan - to run progressively faster with each mile.  I figured it would be good to try on 16 miles since 16 is not too long and just long enough all at the same time...

9:12
9:05
9:00
8:51
8:41
8:36
8:28
8:25 (at this point I decided to just try and hang out in the 8:20's for awhile)
8:23
8:18 (little fast)
8:21
8:21
8:30 (little slow)
8:28
9:05 (chilled out a bit. Knew I had enough time to get back for preschool. Backed off so I could still get my speedwork done on Friday.  Enjoyed the sites of geese flying overhead.  Wondered what in the world was going on with a huge plume of smoke in the sky and 3 firetrucks flying by!)
 8:45 (forget backing off. I just want to be done!)

2:18:28

I made it back to preschool with plenty of time to stretch and take a deep breath!  What a beautiful run!

Again, the progressive run surprises me.  It's funny that in those little increases in speed, you never feel like you're going as fast as you are.  There's always a little bit of, "slow down".  I found that once I was out of the 8:50's, I had a hard time in the 8:40's and 8:30's.  I seemed to naturally kick it to the 8:20's and would slow my pace a bit.  Apparently my body likes the 8:20's right now?  Man, I would be so excited if I could keep it in the 8:20's for the majority of 26.2!  Time will tell...

B and I got home and I got straight in the hot shower, dressed in my most favorite sweats and fixed lunch.  Just as we were about to sit down, the phone rang,

"Hi, this is ____ from the school, Ella's in the office and isn't feeling good.  She looks pale, has a little temp, and didn't even eat her lunch."

B and I jumped in the car to pick sis up.

Within 15 minutes of getting home she puked.  On the family room floor.  Lovely.

The blessing?  I was tired and was supposed to run errands all afternoon.  My sweet little miss puking slowed me down and allowed me to get a little rest.  Always a silver lining :)

Between snuggles, cleaning up puke and making scrumptious sloppy joes courtesy of the Pioneer Women, I rested my legs and drank my water.

By last night, my legs were zinging and I was thinking about how thankful I was that today would be a rest day.

Ella was up 3 times last night throwing up and by this morning, I simply did not want to get out of bed.

Again, so thankful for a rest day...

We're crossing our fingers for 30 more minutes of no puking.  Sweet miss has applesauce in her tummy and is looking forward to a bit more.

And, I'm sitting here wishing I could hop on the treadmill and just run a few miles...

Funny what a difference a day can make.

Praying that one more day brings us a healthy girl and a crazy good tempo run! 

Love and Reminders

I happened to glance in the mirror this morning after I got dressed for my run and, to be quite honest, was taken slightly aback.

Who is that?

 

Where did those legs come from?

Is that really me??

With all my amazement, I decided to take a few quick pictures as a reminder on the days I'm not feeling quite so amazed...

You see, I'm pretty sure I'm a rare one.  I actually like myself better naked than clothed.  When I'm naked, there is nothing being squeezed, there is nothing too tight, there is no muffin top or plumbers crack, no panty lines, no bra lines.  Just me.  My body.  My muscles.  Oh, and that extra skin that carrying 4 babies blessed me with.  When naked, there is no question of my fitness, my health.  My lower stomach may resemble a prune - of which I can do nothing about, but the muscles in the top shine through.  The muscles in my legs seem to only become more defined.  When I actually take a moment to glance in the mirror, I can only praise God for the gift of running and for finally having a healthy perspective.

Today, I took pictures because I know that yesterday, I wasn't feeling so great about myself.  And nothing has changed since yesterday...

The brain is a funny thing, give it a bad night sleep, dehydrate it, add some funky hormones and like I said the other day, your perception gets off.

Today, I took those pictures to remind myself on the days I need a little reminder.

It made me think of my runs too.  There are days when I KNOW I'm supposed to run at an easy pace and yet by the end of the run I am tired and have nothing left to give.  Those are the days that I question myself.  Did I really run that pace, that fast, for that long??  I think it may be a dream until I actually look at my times.  I see it on paper.  It takes that very evidence for my brain to connect back to reality.

Confidence is a new thing to me and I'm learning that I have a lot of bad habits to break.  I have a lot of negative self talk that keeps trying to come back.  Thankfully, God is faithful to keep giving me REAL images of myself - inside and out.  He is so faithful to show me who I am and just how wonderfully made I really am.

It's funny to say those words.  To proclaim that I am strong.  That I am beautiful.  That I am loved.  That I am a good wife.  A good mom.  A good friend.  That I do have much to offer.  It's funny, because Satan would have me believe that's being arrogant.  I'm just going to say, right now, that it's not.  It's proclaiming how God has made me.  There is nothing arrogant about that!

Control

I did not want to get out of my cozy bed this morning. 

I did not want to get out of my jammies this morning.

I, most certainly, did NOT want to take B to preschool.

And, in no way, did I want to run in the cold this morning.

It's been so warm that I chose not to wash my running tights after Wednesday's run.  I didn't think I would need them today.  When I woke up and saw the frost, I knew I was wrong...

And, even though I KNOW that I need to get some more sleep, I'm terrible at actually doing just that...

And, add in some crazy painful ovulatory pains and I did NOT want to go.

I just didn't.

On the other hand. 

I couldn't wait.

I got new shoes yesterday and I was so excited to get out there and run in them.

That and the fact that I've got my eye on the prize.

Even still, I had a bit of an attitude as I drove to Mandi's to start my run.

I decided to dedicate the run to Harmony.  I would run for her because she can't right now.  I would use those miles to lift her up in prayer.  I texted her to let her know and headed off.

I started reading Road Racing for Serious Runners this week and am beginning to wonder if I have it all wrong.  Am I running too fast??  What are my goals for the run?  Focus.  Focus.  Focus.  While I've heard to start slow and pick it up from there, I never completely sell out on that plan.  I fear that I won't have any left to give at the end.  However, in reading even the small parts that I've read, I decided to give it a go today.  To REALLY start SLOW and progressively speed up with CONTROL.  That's the key word for me...

I was, quite honestly, shocked with each mile.  At no point (with the exception of the last 1/4 mile) was my breathing labored.  My pace felt easy to me the entire time.   It took a lot of focus.  But, what surprised me the most, was that because I started at such a slower pace and stayed in control with each mile, I had so much to give at the end.  I cannot wait to do this on my 16 miler next week and see what happens.

9:21 (goal 9:30)
9:08 (goal 9:10)
8:55 (goal 8:55-9)
8:44 (goal 8:50-55)
8:40 (goal 8:40-45)
8:26 (goal 8:30-35)
7:34 (kept it at an 8:20 until the last 1/4 mile and let myself GO!)

Oh, and the shoes??  SO thankful for a new pair!  No aches!  No pains!  Just a wonderful run, praying for Harmony, focusing on control and smiling!  Thankful for another blessed run!

Perception

Long, long, ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I walked into my college "Perceptions" class...  or something along those lines.  As I walked in, I noticed there was a picture on the overhead that looked something like this...

 

When class got started, my professor asked if there was anyone in the room who had astigmatism.  I raised my hand.  She then asked me to describe what I saw...

One black line in the center and the lines that fanned out were gray.

Everyone looked at me with their jaws dropped.

That is not what they saw.

My perception was off.  My astigmatism caused me to see the lines differently.  The fact was, all the lines were black.

Perception is a funny thing.

I may be the fittest I've ever been, but dehydrate me and give me little sleep and I'll start to feel pretty sluggish.  Add in some hormones and I might even look at myself in disgust as I get dressed.  Feeling as though, somehow, quite magically, 10 lbs. crept on overnight.  Only to double check and find that no such thing has happened.  My perception is just off for the day...

Or perhaps, it might happen in a run.  My runs have been amazing.  I have seen "easy" paces I never thought possible.  And yet, that dehydration and lack of sleep, can really wreak havoc.  And as I ran my 7 easy yesterday, I wondered if any of those amazing runs truly happened.  My knee was starting to hurt.  My shin was starting to ache.  What was going on??  I started to pick on myself.  My perception was off...

The facts were:  I was dehydrated.  I was exhausted.  And then, fact number three hit me.  It was time for new shoes.  I only start to hurt when the shoes are wearing out.  I should've known.  I laughed as I looked at the bottom of my shoes last night.  I had completely worn through the top layer in some parts.  Since I purchased them in August, I have ran 526.55 miles.  Yeah.  It was time for new shoes.  

Old shoes on the left.  New on the right.

Old on the left.  New on the right.

Check out that heel!!

Love my Saucony's!!

My perception?  I sucked.  The facts??  I needed new shoes.  I needed sleep.  I needed water.

I've had some amazing conversations with God lately.  Conversations that have revealed just how He sees me.  Who I am.  Who I am not.  My lifelong insecurities no longer have a hold on me.  I know the truth.  God has shown me the truth.  For that I am incredibly thankful.  It's funny to me though.  Even with this foundation.  Even in knowing the facts.  When I'm tired.  When I'm spiritually dehydrated.  That is when my perception can be wrong.  That is when Satan comes to play.  Go away stinkface!  I'll take God and His truth instead!

As I ran yesterday, God reminded me of my perceptions class.  He reminded me of what I saw and what was the truth.  He reminded me of who I am in Him.  He is forever faithful.  So thankful for truth, for the light, for God and His tender mercies.  

And, holy cow, am I thankful for new shoes!!

A Great Day

Friday was a great day.

Not just because I had an amazing 20 miler.

But, because I came home to this...

It used to look like this...

Cory worked hard all last week to give me my "office".  A calm place.  A place I can hang my race bibs, metals and inspiration.  A place all my own.  And yes, I did request for it to be in my laundry room.  I felt that, perhaps, I would be smiling while doing the grueling and never ending task of laundry. 

And then, I was told that this came from my Mom.  It was my Christmas gift...

 

And shortly after showering, we celebrated Christmas with Cory's family.

A great day indeed!!

And today?  Well, I gave this baby a whirl and am 100% in love with it.  Thank you, Mom!  And thank you, Lululemon!!

Also thought I'd do a little comparison.  Me today and me in October and even in September in the same top...  Down about 10 from September and down 6 or 7 from October.  I do not remember a time when I weighed this much or felt this great.  I am even lower than what I weighed in high school!  Crazy what the body does when it decides it's ready to let go of some of the excess :)

December, Numbers and the New Year

December has been an amazing month filled with family and baking, games and cleaning, running and little resting.  And even with as busy as it's been, I cannot remember a time, at Christmas, where I have felt so at peace, so calm and so blessed. 

Hearing my kids voices, their giggles, their excitement, is music to my ears.  Even with all the whining, the sweetness still wins and is ever present in my mind. 

I think of this December and I smile.  I think of this Christmas and I smile.  I think of the fact that the break is almost over and I wish we had another week...

As for running?  I am left in awe after each run.  I am left praising the Lord for my health, for the fact that I am still injury free, for how far I have come.  It is unfathomable to me. 

I ran a 7 miler that had me feeling closer to God than ever before.  That had me running the last mile in 7:23.  A run in which the chains of my lifelong insecurities were broken.  A run in which I had a bald eagle fly above me, the sun shine on my face and for the first time in my life, I felt like an athlete.  A strong, lean, athlete.  7 miles that had me smiling the biggest smile, feeling like I could do anything, amazing...

I ran 16 easy miles in 2:25:37 - a 9:06 average pace.

I ran a 6 mile tempo run at an average pace of 8:08, including warm up and cool down...  9:07, 7:59, 7:42, 7:41, 7:28, 8:52

I ran 6.5 miles with repeat times at 6:46, 6:52 and 7:00.

I ran 18 easy to me miles in 2:37:51!  An average pace of 8:46!  And it was easy!  God is amazing!!

I ran a 7 mile tempo run with miles at 7:57, 7:53, 7:59, 7:52 and 7:35.

I've ran in awe.

And yesterday, I ran 20 easy miles in 2:59:12.  An average pace of 8:58.  Finishing with the final mile at 8:11!

I am in awe.

God has been very gracious with me.  I have been blessed not only because I continue to run, not only because I remain free of injuries, but because my time with Him, while running, is cherished.  I have had conversations with Him that have caused me to grow by leaps and bounds.  I have a peace that can only come from Him.  Nothing else. 

He is good.

As I look toward the New Year, I smile.  I think of New Year's last year.  I finished 2010 with 2 miles and  started 2011 with 3 miles.  Knowing 2011 was going to bring more.  And it was.  Lots of growth, lots of miles.

1224 miles.

My goals for running in 2012 are not really a secret.  I'm fairly certain I've put them out there.  But, just in case...

A sub 4 marathon...

And more so, a sub 3:40 marathon.

A smile on my face. 

Amazing time with the Lord.

And many many more miles.

Praying for abundant blessings for you all, thanking the Lord for the friendships formed with some amazing bloggers, hoping that maybe, just maybe I'll get to meet some of you this year :) 

Happy Happy New Year!!

Today's Run Is Brought To You By The Letter P

Perfect Advise

Powerbar

Pretty much always late

Preschool

Precious little time

Petrified at mile 9

Pleasantly surprised

Potential peaking through

P

Last night, I realized that I had zero Shot Bloks in the house.  Nor was there a drop of GU.  I had 14 to do today and my imagination was running wild trying to figure out just house I would fuel myself on my run.

Craisins?

Powerbar?

Marshmallows??

Okay, kidding on the marshmallows.

But, seriously a bit concerned.  Do I drive into town with 4 kids??  Do I make do??  What to do???

I got on Facebook to see if my sweet friend, G, was available.  We came up with a plan and I knew that my run could be a total fail.  But, at least it would be a learning experience.

And then, worry set in and I had 20 minutes until I needed to pick the oldest up from wrestling practice.  "Kids, let's go!!"  The closest store options were Walgreens and Albertsons and wouldn't you know it, neither carried GU or Shot Bloks.  Crap.

This morning I got dressed as soon as I woke up.  Running gear on and ready to go.  Now, all I needed to do was get all the kids out the door on time and get B and I out the door about 20 minutes earlier than normal.  We could not be late.

I had an EASY 14 miles to run.  Easy meaning it was to be run at an easy pace.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty much always late.  Unfortunately, it was 9:06 when my watch turned on.  Unfortunately, I needed to pick B up at 11:15.  Crap.

GO!

8:29
8:30
8:22  Either I'm going to make it or I'm going to completely bonk and fail...
8:22
8:20  Wow, still feeling pretty good.  Maybe...
8:30  Almost half-way.  Either I can keep this up or...
8:22
8:17  Gorgeous.  Simply gorgeous.
8:03  Last hill, last hard part, easy from here.  Ride the hill and then push.  Holy crap!  Is that a man coming out of the trees?  Is that a camera in his hands?  No...  Binoculars??  No...  A BEER!!!  It's barely even 10 in the morning!!  Completely freaked out I took off and ran up the hill at a 7:55 pace.  Scary!!!
8:20
8:17  I cannot believe this!  Thank you for this blessing, Lord!!  You are amazing!!
8:25
8:19  13.1.  Stop.  1:49!!  My fastest 13.1 ever!! 
8:52  Huge smile on my face.  PLENTY of time to get back to preschool.  Making myself slow down and at least take 1 of my 14 miles easy.  Smile did not leave my face!  I kid you not, I could NOT stop smiling as I bounded along the road!

I didn't have any expectations of this run.  After all, it was just a 14 mile training run.  Nothing spectacular should have happened.  I should not have been able to run my fastest longest run ever.  I mean, seriously, 1:49?!? 

I think I need a new mantra...  run like you're going to be late for preschool pick-up.  I could be in a new running ad.  Any takers??  Nike?  Saucony?  Another Mother Runner??  Brooks?  Oh, and I'm sure Lululemon needs some new ideas :)  And I'm completely sure that they all want an ad with a mid-30's, middle of the pack, Mom of 5...
 
This was the end of marathon training week 3 and I haven't even begun my track workouts yet.  I'm beyond excited to see where this body and mind will be in 15 more weeks!  

**I started writing this yesterday and ran out of time.  Therefore, pretend you're reading this on Friday not Saturday :)